Liquid treatment apparatus and liquid treatment cartridge

ABSTRACT

A device for forming a liquid treatment apparatus includes a main part, a receiving part including a cavity for receiving a connecting head of a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge having at least one port in liquid communication with an interior of the liquid treatment cartridge. The receiving part is journalled for movement between a first and a second position with respect to the main part. The head is insertable into and retractable from the cavity in the first position. The liquid treatment cartridge is lockable to the device by at least moving the receiving part with the inserted connecting head into the second position. The movement includes a component corresponding to an intrinsic rotation in a plane parallel to a direction of insertion. The movement further includes at least a component corresponding to a displacement of the receiving part relative to the main part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/565,142, filed on Oct. 6, 2017, which is a national phase entry under35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/057741, filedApr. 8, 2016 which claims the benefit of European Application No.15162963.1, filed Apr. 9, 2015. The entire contents of each of theforegoing patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to a liquid treatment apparatus including:

-   -   a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge including a connecting        head having at least one port in liquid communication with an        interior of the liquid treatment cartridge; and    -   a device including:    -   a main part; and    -   a receiving part including a cavity for receiving the connecting        head of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge such that the        at least one port(s) of the connecting head are in sealed liquid        communication with corresponding ports of the receiving part,    -   wherein the receiving part is journalled for movement between a        first and a second position with respect to the main part whilst        the connecting head is inserted in the cavity,    -   wherein the connecting head is insertable into and retractable        from the cavity in the first position,    -   wherein the liquid treatment cartridge is lockable to the device        by at least moving the receiving part with the inserted        connecting head into the second position, and    -   wherein the movement includes a component corresponding to an        intrinsic rotation in a plane parallel to a direction of        insertion.

The invention also relates to a liquid treatment cartridge.

The invention also relates to a method of attaching a replaceable liquidtreatment cartridge to a head part of a liquid treatment apparatus,

-   -   the head part including at least one device including:    -   a main part; and    -   a receiving part including at least one cavity,    -   the liquid treatment cartridge including a connecting head        having at least one port in liquid communication with an        interior of the liquid treatment cartridge, the method        including:    -   inserting the connecting head into the cavity such that the at        least one port(s) of the connecting head are in sealed liquid        communication with corresponding ports of the receiving part,    -   wherein the connecting head is inserted in a first position of        the receiving part with respect to the main part, and    -   moving the receiving part with the inserted connecting head into        a second position with respect to the main part by at least        swiveling the liquid treatment cartridge.

EP 2 366 442 A1 discloses a water purifying filter assembly moduleincluding a filter assembly head and a module body. The filter assemblyhead may have a water purifying filter assembled on one side thereof.The filter assembly head is rotatable in the module body. A movementguide portion is formed on the module body so that a guide protrusionformed on the water purifying filter moves along the movement guideportion while being inserted therein. The movement guide portion forms acurve connecting a release position of the guide protrusion inside themodule body at which the water purifying filter is released from thefilter assembly head and an assembly position of the guide protrusioninside the module body at which the water purifying filter is assembledthereon. Also a distance between a rotation centre of the filterassembly head and the release position is larger than a distance betweenthe rotation centre of the filter assembly head and the assemblyposition of the movement guide portion.

A part such as the module body is generally connected more or lesspermanently to water conduits, usually being fixed to a wall along whichthe conduits run. The height is often just about sufficient to providespace for the filter cartridge, which generally depends from the device.Several arrangements, often closely spaced together, may be providedalong the wall, e.g. where different types of filter cartridge are to beused to treat water in different ways consecutively or where thecartridge implements a pre- or post-treatment of water subjected tomembrane filtration. To replace the known filter, it is swiveled awayfrom the wall to rotate the filter assembly head over about 90°. Thus, auser or service technician can grab hold of it without being hindered byadjacent filters or devices. However, there must be space to step backas the filter is swiveled over such a relatively large angle. Also, themovement guide portion provides little support to the filter when theguide protrusion is close to the release position, because the filter isalmost horizontal at that stage. Furthermore, the module body must havea relatively large height to provide sufficient space for the assemblyhead and the inserted part of the water filter to rotate over 90° withinit.

US 2014/0374336 A1 discloses a water filtration system including afilter cartridge assembly. A replaceable filter is the assembly that auser will replace as required. This assembly includes a filter cap. Aningress port and an egress port extend from the filter cap and are influid communication with each other as well as with a manifold. Themanifold is rotatable with respect to a left mounting bracket and aright mounting bracket about left and right pivot bosses that rotatablymate with the mounting brackets. The pivot bosses are preferablysupported by pivot boss receivers, preferably cylindrical depressions inthe mounting brackets. In an alternative embodiment, the pivot bossesmay be replaced with at least one pivot pin, and the pivot bossreceivers may be replaced with apertures or through-holes. With thefilter cartridge assembly directly secured to the manifold, the designallows the user to simply lift the cartridge up, away from the vertical,which pivots the manifold about the pivot bosses.

Because the movement is again limited to pivoting movement, thecartridge must be lifted up a relatively long way by rotating it and themanifold over a relatively large angle to move it sufficiently far awayfrom a wall to which the mounting brackets are mounted.

It is an object of the invention to provide a liquid treatmentapparatus, cartridge and method that allow for easy handling of thecartridge when replacing it without having to rotate the receiving partwith the inserted connecting head of the cartridge over a very largeangle.

This object is achieved by the liquid treatment apparatus according tothe invention, which is characterised in that the movement furtherincludes at least a component corresponding to a displacement of thereceiving part relative to the main part.

The main part of the device may be fixed in position more or lesspermanently, e.g. being supported on a wall. Similar parts or otherliquid treatment devices may be positioned immediately adjacently. Thereceiving part includes a cavity for receiving a connecting head of areplaceable liquid treatment cartridge having at least one port inliquid communication with an interior of the liquid treatment cartridgesuch that the at least one port(s) of the connecting head are in sealedliquid communication with corresponding ports of the receiving part.Thus, liquid can be transferred between the replaceable cartridge andthe device to allow the former to effect a particular type of liquidtreatment. The receiving part may have only one such cavity or multiplecavities for receiving respective connecting heads, e.g. multipleprotruding connecting heads at one end of the liquid treatment cartridgethat each provide only one port. The treatment in the liquid treatmentcartridge may rely on the use of exhaustible media. Regeneration orreplenishment of such liquid treatment media on-site is not required,because the liquid treatment cartridge is replaceable. The receivingpart is journalled for movement between a first and a second positionwith respect to the main part whilst the connecting head is inserted inthe cavity. Thus, the main part can remain fixed in position, whereasthe receiving part is able to move with the cartridge. The cartridge isat least partly supported, and thus guided, between a locked positionand a position in which it is releasable. Thus, the liquid treatmentcartridge is lockable to the device by at least moving the receivingpart with the inserted connecting head into the second position. Furtheractions may be required for completely effecting the lock. Because themovement of the receiving part includes a component corresponding to anintrinsic rotation of the receiving part in a plane of rotationgenerally parallel to the about an axis tied to the receiving part andperpendicular to the direction of insertion, the cartridge can, forexample, be situated below the device in the second position withrelatively little clearance between it and the ground, yet still beretracted. Furthermore, the device can be placed in a row with otherdevices at a relatively small distance. A typical example would be wherethe device is part of a multi-head apparatus. A user or servicetechnician is still able to grab hold of the cartridge to insert orretract it, because the rotation causes the filter to swivel out of therow. The rotation is not about an axis of rotation fixed in positionrelative to the main part. Rather, the movement further includes atleast a component corresponding to a displacement of the entirereceiving part, and thus of the axis of (intrinsic) rotation. Thedisplacement is in a direction generally parallel to the plane ofrotation. Each part of the body forming the receiving part is displacedrelative to the main part. The movement is thus a combination of a shiftin position of the receiving part relative to the main part and arotation thereof. Because of this, the angle of rotation between thefirst and second position need not be quite so large to achievesufficient clearance of the cartridge from the ground and any adjacentdevices. The displacement may be, but need not be, along a straightpath. It may, for example, be along a curvilinear path. The displacementand the rotation may be sequential between the first and secondposition, e.g. rotation in the second position followed by displacementinto the first position or vice versa.

The angle of rotation between the first position and the second positionmay have a value below 20°, e.g. below 15°, for example 10°.

This value is relatively low. In particular where the main part includesa housing accommodating the receiving part, the housing can have arelatively low height. It need not afford a large amount of space inwhich the receiving part swings between the first and second positions.

In an embodiment, wherein the receiving part has an axis correspondingto a direction of insertion, the displacement is in a direction parallelto the plane of rotation and having at least a component perpendicularto the axis as oriented in the second position.

In the second position, the cartridge may be aligned with a row ofadjacent devices or situated in a recess. Displacement perpendicular tothe axis as oriented in the second position will move it out of the rowor recess. The axis corresponding to the direction of insertion willgenerally be aligned with a body axis of the cartridge when theconnecting head has been inserted into the receiving part. This willusually be a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, except in case of verysquat cartridges. It will in any case be a body axis extending from theend of the cartridge at which the connecting head is provided to anopposite end of the cartridge. The orientation of the axis in the secondposition will generally be vertical or at an acute angle to thevertical, with the cartridge depending from the device. The intrinsicrotation already swivels the cartridge into a position in which itslower end is sufficiently clear of the ground. It is thereforeconvenient if the component perpendicular to the axis as oriented in thesecond position is a major component of the direction of displacement orcorresponds to the direction of displacement. An operator can then holdthe cartridge at a point relatively close to the connecting head andthus to the device. Furthermore, where the main part includes a housing,the height of the housing need not be very large. The overall height ofthe assembly of device and cartridge in the second position is thus alsosmaller.

In an embodiment, the main part includes at least one of at least oneinlet and at least one outlet, at least one of which is placeable inliquid communication with at least one respective one of the ports ofthe receiving part in at least the second position.

Thus, the receiving part need not be provided with a flexible connectorto an adjacent device or conduit. This also allows it to be situated ina housing of the main device, since it need not be accessible forconnection to conduits delivering liquid to be treated or carryingtreated liquid to a connected appliance. Instead, a rigid connectionbetween such a conduit and the inlet and/or outlet of the main part canbe provided.

A variant of this embodiment includes a valve mechanism for interruptingthe liquid communication in at least the first position.

Thus, leaks when the connecting head is not fully inserted can beavoided.

In particular variant, the receiving part is arranged to function as amovable valve member of the valve mechanism, wherein at least one, e.g.all of ports of the receiving part in liquid communication with thecavity are aligned in the second position with respective ports of themain part that are each at least placeable in liquid communication withone of the at least one inlets and outlets, and wherein the ports of atleast one of the receiving part and the main part aligned in the secondposition are blocked by a wall of the other of the receiving part andthe main part in the first position.

This is a relatively simple valve mechanism construction that alsoavoids that a user forgets to actuate the valve mechanism so as tointerrupt the liquid communication in at least the first position.Instead, movement of the cartridge with the receiving part automaticallycloses and opens the valve mechanism in the right positions. Because thereceiving part functions as a movable valve member, complicated linkagesbetween the receiving part and a separate movable valve member are notrequired.

In a particular variant, a channel is formed in the receiving part,wherein the channel is arranged, in at least the first position, toplace at least one of the ports of the main part aligned with arespective port of the receiving part in the second position in sealedliquid communication with at least one other of the ports of the mainpart aligned with a respective port of the receiving part in the secondposition.

In this variant, the cartridge can be removed without interrupting theflow of liquid between at least one inlet and at least one outlet of themain part. This can be useful where the device is one of a number placedin a row for sequentially treating a liquid. It may be that theparticular treatment effected by the removed cartridge is not required.It is then not necessary to remove the device from the row.

In an embodiment, in which the main part includes at least one of atleast one inlet and at least one outlet, at least one of which isplaceable in liquid communication with at least one respective one ofthe ports of the receiving part in at least the second position, themain part includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and atleast one inlet and at least one outlet is placeable in liquidcommunication with at least one respective one of the ports of thereceiving part in at least the second position.

This device is thus intended for use with cartridges having a connectinghead with at least one inlet port for liquid to be treated and at leastone outlet port for treated liquid. The inlet port and the outlet portare at the same end, rather than being at opposite ends. The cartridgecan therefore be closed at the opposite end to the end at which theconnecting device is provided. It will contain a fall tube or a risertube to allow the liquid to return to the connecting head upontreatment. From the point of view of the device, all that matters isthat the connecting head fit the cavity. Assuming the cartridge has alongitudinal axis aligned with the direction of insertion into thecavity, it may have any length.

In an embodiment, the receiving part has at least three ports placeablein sealed liquid communication with corresponding ports of theconnecting head by inserting the connecting head into the cavity.

This device is able to accommodate liquid treatment cartridges with abypass such as are commonly used in softening or reducing the carbonatehardness of water. Such cartridges have a certain liquid treatment partand a flow path from an inlet port to an outlet port that bypasses thecertain liquid treatment part. The certain liquid treatment part istypically a liquid treatment part including at least a liquid treatmentmedium for the treatment of liquid by ion exchange. An example is a bedof cation exchange resin, for example weakly acidic cation exchangeresin, which may be at least in part in the hydrogen form. Where twoinlet ports are provided, one is for conducting liquid along a flow paththrough the certain liquid treatment part and one for conducting italong the bypass flow path. The flow paths join in the cartridgedownstream of the certain liquid treatment part. The volumetric flowrate ratio of the two sub-flows determines the properties of the mix,e.g. the hardness or carbonate hardness, assuming that the sub-flow ledalong the bypass flow path is treated differently or to a differentextent compared with the sub-flow led through the certain liquidtreatment part.

This device may also or alternatively be able to accommodate cartridgesfor implementing a form of mechanical filtration in cross-flow mode.Such a cartridge requires at least one inlet and separate outlets forfiltrate and retentate.

In a particular embodiment, the receiving part has at least four portsplaceable in sealed liquid communication with corresponding ports of theconnecting head by inserting the connecting head into the cavity.

This allows the use of a high-throughput liquid treatment cartridge. Itmay still have a relatively compact connecting head, with the portshaving a regular, e.g. circular, shape and being placed adjacent to eachother. Where the cartridge is a cartridge with a bypass, the rate offlow is not limited by the fact that there is only a single inlet portbut two outlet ports or a single outlet port in combination with twoinlet ports. Where the cartridge is, for example, a reverse osmosis orother cross-flow membrane filtration cartridge, there can be two inletports in addition to an outlet port for retentate and an outlet port forfiltrate. Again, the inlet port does not limit the throughput.

In an embodiment, the cavity tapers in the direction of insertion.

In this embodiment, insertion and retraction of the connecting head intoand out of the cavity is facilitated. The taper is such that at leastone lateral dimension of the cavity is larger at a mouth of the cavitythan at an opposite end. Damage to sealing elements provided aroundports of the receiving part or ports of the connecting head duringinsertion or retraction is then largely avoided, because contact is onlyestablished in positions close to and including the fully insertedposition.

In an embodiment, at least one, e.g. all, of the ports of the receivingpart are in respective sections of at least one wall having a surface atleast partly delimiting the cavity laterally with respect to an axiscorresponding to the direction of insertion.

The ports of the receiving part are thus located in side walls of thecavity, around a central axis of the cavity corresponding to thedirection of insertion. This avoids the need for complicated coaxialports at an axial end of the cavity and for similarly complicatedcoaxial ports at an axial end of the liquid treatment cartridge.Furthermore, the ports can have a relatively large cross-sectional area.Where the receiving part functions as a movable valve member, thedisplacement of the ports between the first and second position is alsolarger than would be the case if they were provided in an axial end wallof the cavity.

In a variant of this embodiment, at least two ports of the receivingpart are in respective side wall sections on opposite sides of thecavity.

The ports can thus be relatively large even if the receiving part isrelatively compact, because they are not placed adjacent one another inone side wall. Where the receiving part functions as a movable valvemember, it is easier to ensure that the valve is closed in the firstposition than would be the case if two ports were to be situatedadjacent each other in one side wall section.

In an embodiment of the device, the receiving part includes at least onegroove for receiving at least one alignment part on the connecting headwhen the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, wherein the grooveis provided in a section of a wall having a surface at least partlydelimiting the cavity laterally with respect to an axis corresponding tothe direction of insertion.

This facilitates insertion of the connecting head into the cavity in thefirst position.

In a variant of this embodiment, the receiving part includes at leastone further groove for receiving at least one further alignment part onthe connecting head when the connecting head is inserted into thecavity, wherein the at least one further groove is provided in a sectionof a wall having a surface at least partly delimiting the cavitylaterally with respect to a central axis corresponding to the directionof insertion, and wherein the at least one further groove is at adifferent azimuthal position with respect to the central axis.

This ensures that the cartridge is inserted with the correct orientationabout a cartridge axis to be aligned with the direction of insertion. Itis of particular use when the cavity and connecting head taper, becausethe alignment part and groove can then engage before the connecting headcontacts the surfaces of the side walls or the receiving part definingthe cavity.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part includes at least onegroove for receiving at least one alignment part on the connecting headwhen the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, wherein the grooveis provided in a section of a wall having a surface at least partlydelimiting the cavity laterally with respect to an axis corresponding tothe direction of insertion, at least one of the grooves includes a stopfor limiting movement of the at least one alignment part in the groove.

The connecting head may otherwise be inserted too far and jam or,especially if it tapers, cause too much pressure to be exerted onsealing elements that provide the sealed liquid communication betweenthe cartridge ports and the ports of the receiving part that are inliquid communication with the cavity.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part includes at least onegroove for receiving at least one alignment part on the connecting headwhen the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, wherein the grooveis provided in a section of a wall having a surface at least partlydelimiting the cavity laterally with respect to an axis corresponding tothe direction of insertion, at least an to end section of at least oneof the grooves proximal to a mouth of the cavity is formed by a slitthrough a side wall section of the receiving part.

In this variant, an alignment part or part of an alignment part canproject through the wall and be supported by a support surface providedby a section of the main device, for example. It is also allows a grooveto be provided without the need for an unnecessarily thick receivingpart wall.

In an embodiment, the main part includes a housing defining a housingcavity in which the receiving part is movably journalled.

The movement of the receiving part cannot be obstructed by foreignobjects in this embodiment.

A variant includes at least one, e.g. at least two, screening parts,journalled for movement with the receiving part, for closing arespective section of a mouth of the housing cavity adjacent a sectionoccupied by the receiving part in at least one of the first and secondpositions.

The housing cavity will have a much larger mouth than the cavity of thereceiving part, because the cartridge must be able to move with thereceiving part when its connecting head is inserted in the cavity.Without the screening part or parts there might be space to insertforeign objects into the housing cavity between an edge of its mouth andthe receiving part.

In an embodiment, the receiving part is journalled by protrusions guidedin guides for receiving the protrusions.

This is a relatively simple way of enabling the receiving part to carryout a relatively complicated movement combining displacement of theentire receiving part relative to the main part with an intrinsicrotation of the receiving part. A guide may include at least one of agate and a groove for guiding an inserted protrusion. The guide may bedefined by a single component or an assembly of components.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part is journalled byprotrusions guided in guides for receiving the protrusions, theprotrusions are provided on the receiving part.

The main part thus includes the component or assembly of componentsdefining the guides (gates and/or grooves). The receiving part isrelatively small and must provide room for ports. Due to the arrangementof this embodiment, the receiving part need not be provided with groovesadjacent the ports. The main part is larger anyway, because it mustaccommodate the receiving part so that the receiving part is free tomove.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part is journalled byprotrusions guided in guides for receiving the protrusions, eachprotrusion projects in a respective direction generally perpendicular tothe plane of rotation.

This allows for movement in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part is journalled byprotrusions guided in guides for receiving the protrusions, at least onepair of a protrusion and guide is provided on each of opposite sides ofa central plane parallel to the plane of rotation.

The central plane passes through the middle of the receiving part. Thereceiving part is suspended by the protrusions, e.g. in a cavity of ahousing of the main part. By providing at least one pair of a protrusionand guide on each of opposite sides of a central plane, the axis ofrotation is correctly oriented.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part is journalled byprotrusions guided in guides for receiving the protrusions, projectionsof at least two protrusions onto the central plane are at differentlocations.

It is thus possible to guide the degree of rotation during the movementof the receiving part. A single protrusion or a pair of alignedprotrusions on opposite sides of the receiving part might allow foruncontrolled rotation.

In an embodiment in which the receiving part is journalled byprotrusions guided in guides for receiving the protrusions, at least oneof the guides, e.g.

a pair of guides provided on opposite sides of a central plane parallelto the plane of rotation, has opposite edges for guiding a protrusionbetween the first and second positions, wherein the opposite edges haveat least central sections with different respective curvatures.

This embodiment addresses the problem that a user will not generally beable to manipulate the cartridge such that a force on the receiving partdirected exactly parallel to the locus of intended movement of theprotrusion is exerted. There is thus a risk of jamming, especially in anembodiment in which projections of at least two protrusions onto thecentral plane are at different locations, e.g. if there are twoprotrusions guided in respective guides on each side of the receivingpart. Due to the differing curvatures, the guides can be wider in acentral section than at their ends. When the receiving part is initiallymoved out of one of the first and second positions, the protrusion inthat groove is guided by only one of the opposing edges, this being adifferent edge on the way out of the first position than on the way outof the second position. Due to the differing curvatures, the endpositions can be defined relatively well, but there can be play alongthe path provided for the protrusions between the first and secondpositions.

In an embodiment of the device, the main part includes at least onesection defining a support surface for supporting a protruding part ofthe liquid treatment cartridge during movement of the receiving partbetween the first and second positions with the connecting headinserted.

This addresses the problem that it is difficult to guide the movement ofthe receiving part or to provide adequate journaling of the receivingpart if the full weight of the liquid treatment cartridge acts on thereceiving part between the first and second positions. In thisembodiment, there is a separation of functions. The support surface orsurfaces provide support for the protruding part and function as fulcrumfor changing the orientation of the cartridge as its connecting head isguided by the receiving part. To provide balanced support, at least apair of sections defining a respective support surface for supporting arespective protruding part of the liquid treatment cartridge duringmovement of the receiving part between the first and second positionswith the connecting head inserted may be provided on either side of aplane parallel to the plane of rotation.

In an embodiment of the device in which the main part includes at leastone section defining a support surface for supporting a protruding partof the liquid treatment cartridge during movement of the receiving partbetween the first and second positions with the connecting headinserted, the receiving part has an axis corresponding to a direction ofinsertion, and an axial distance of the support surface of at least oneof the sections to an axial end of the cavity distal to a mouth of thecavity decreases towards the second position over at least a section ofthe support surface.

The support surface or surfaces thus act on the protrusion contactingthe surface concerned so as to urge the connecting head into the cavityduring at least part of the movement from the first to the secondposition. The liquid treatment cartridge acts as a lever, so that theforce required for sufficient insertion is relatively low.

In an embodiment in which the main part includes at least one sectiondefining a support surface for supporting a protruding part of theliquid treatment cartridge during movement of the receiving part betweenthe first and second positions with the connecting head inserted, atleast one of the sections defines at least one detent for the protrudingpart of the liquid treatment cartridge.

The detent is suitable for holding the receiving part in the secondposition with the cartridge inserted, so that neither the receiving partnor the cartridge is easily knocked out of the second position. Rather,a deliberate force exerted on the cartridge is required to release thereceiving part from the second position.

An embodiment further includes at least one latching device forretaining the receiving part in the first position.

This serves to ensure that the connecting head is able to enter thecavity in the first position. Since it can be retracted in the firstposition, keeping the receiving part in the first position after theconnecting head has been retracted allows the next cartridge to beinserted without any difficulty.

In a variant of this embodiment, the latching device includes aresilient part for returning it to a configuration for retaining thereceiving part in the first position, and the latching device isarranged to be urged out of the configuration through engagement by thereceiving part as it moves into the first position.

This allows the user to operate the latch without having to let go ofthe cartridge to be replaced as the receiving part is moved from thefirst to the second position. The receiving part is automatically lockedin position without the need to actuate the latch separately.

In an embodiment in which the device includes at least one latchingdevice for retaining the receiving part in the first position, thelatching device includes a part for engagement by the cartridge oninsertion of the connecting head into the cavity, such that the latchdevice releases the receiving part.

This allows the user to cause the receiving part to be released withouthaving to let go of the replacement cartridge as it is inserted. It canbe inserted with both hands. The mere act of inserting it releases thereceiving part for movement into the second position. There can be arelatively strong shape-lock between the latching device and thereceiving part in the first position in the absence of a cartridge witha connecting head inserted into the cavity.

In an embodiment in which the device includes at least one latchingdevice for retaining the receiving part in the first position, thelatching device includes at least one resilient arm having a free endarranged to flex in a direction transverse to the plane of rotation onengagement with at least one of the receiving part and the cartridge,e.g. a U-shaped part having arms arranged on opposite sides of thereceiving part in the first position.

This is a relatively simple construction in which a section of theresilient arm engages the receiving part directly and a section providesthe resilient force for urging the engaging section into theconfiguration in which it does so. There are even fewer parts if thelatching device includes a U-shaped part having arms arranged onopposite sides of the receiving part in the first position. The freeends of the arms are urged apart in opposite directions and snap backinto place when the receiving part is moved into the first position.Strong anchoring of the relatively immobile ends of the arms to theremainder of the main part of the device is not required. Rather, theU-shaped part can be an insert or inlay.

In a variant of this embodiment, the arm includes a section, e.g. a pawlat the free end, having a facet for engagement by the cartridge facingat least in part in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion.

The facet may in particular face only in part in a direction opposite tothe direction of insertion. The cartridge thus engages this facet tourge the arm out of the position of engagement with the receiving part.The same or a further section may have a further facet facing at least,e.g. only, in part in a direction parallel to the plane of rotation forengaging the receiving part as it moves into the first position. Anopposite surface for latching to the receiving part may facepredominantly or only in an opposite direction parallel to the plane ofrotation in that case. Such slanting facets function as inclined planesto move the arm out of engagement with the receiving part on exertion ofa relatively small force. The opposite surface for latching to thereceiving part, on the other hand, provides a relatively strongshape-lock.

In an embodiment of the device in which the receiving part includes atleast one groove for receiving at least one alignment part on theconnecting head when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity,the groove is provided in a section of a wall having a surface at leastpartly delimiting the cavity laterally with respect to an axiscorresponding to the direction of insertion, at least an end section ofat least one of the grooves proximal to a mouth of the cavity is formedby a slit through a side wall section of the receiving part and thedevice includes at least one latching device for retaining the receivingpart in the first position, the latching device is arranged to engagethe slit.

In this embodiment, the alignment part can move the latching device outof the configuration in which the latching device holds the receivingpart in the first position as the connecting head is inserted into thecavity. In an embodiment of the device, the main part includes at leastone section defining a guide surface facing mainly in a same directionas a mouth of the cavity of the receiving part for guiding a projectingpart of the liquid treatment cartridge during at least part of movementof the receiving part from the second to the first position, thereceiving part has an axis corresponding to a direction of insertion,and an axial distance of the support surface of at least one of thesections to an axial end of the cavity distal to a mouth of the cavityincreases towards the first position over at least a section of thesupport surface.

The connecting head may become somewhat stuck in the cavity over thecourse of a long period of use in the second position. In thisembodiment, the connecting head is urged out of the cavity as thereceiving part moves back into the first position from the secondposition. The user need not therefore exert such a large force toretract the connecting head.

An embodiment of the device is provided with a part for mounting themain part to a wall, wherein the direction of displacement has at leasta component perpendicular to the wall.

Further devices may be placed relatively close to the device on the samewall, or the mounting part may be used to mount the device on the backwall of a recess. The cartridge is not only swiveled away from the wallat one end but also moved away from the wall at the end closest to thedevice.

In an embodiment of the apparatus at least two, e.g. three or four,liquid-permeable ports in liquid communication with the interior of theliquid treatment cartridge are provided in the connecting head.

With at least two ports, there need not be any ports at an opposite endof the liquid treatment cartridge to the one at which the connectinghead is provided.

Compared with a throughflow cartridge, there is no need to align thecartridge with a further head part to allow it to reach the secondposition. All the ports required for operation of the liquid treatmentcartridge to effect the treatment are at one end of the cartridge. Withat least three ports, a bypass through the cartridge can be implemented.Alternatively, the cartridge may include a membrane module for operationin cross-flow mode. With at least fourth ports, the rate of flow throughthe cartridge is less likely to be restricted, because there can be anequal number of inlet and outlet ports.

In an embodiment of the liquid treatment apparatus, wherein the liquidtreatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, essentially aligned with thedirection of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in thecavity, at least one, e.g. all, of the ports in liquid communicationwith the interior of the liquid treatment cartridge is provided inrespective surface sections facing in directions at an angle to thecartridge axis.

The angle will generally be at least 45°. In effect, the ports are inside surfaces of the connecting head, rather than an axial end surface.They can thus be larger without having to increase the width of theconnecting head. Where there are two or more ports, they need not bearranged concentrically.

In an embodiment of the liquid treatment apparatus, at least one, e.g.all, of the ports in liquid communication with the interior of theliquid treatment cartridge is provided in an essentially planarrespective surface section of the connecting head.

Sealing elements will generally be required to provide the sealed liquidcommunication between the ports in the connecting head and those of thereceiving part. These are either provided around the cartridge ports andpressed against a surface delimiting the cavity or around the receivingpart ports and pressed against the essentially planar surface sections.In either case, the degree of compression is relatively uniform alongthe sealing element.

In an embodiment, wherein the liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridgeaxis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion when theconnecting head is inserted in the cavity, at least one, e.g. all, ofthe ports in liquid communication with the interior of the liquidtreatment cartridge is provided in a respective surface section of theconnecting head inclined with respect to the cartridge axis such thatthe connecting head tapers in the direction of insertion.

This helps avoid jamming of the connecting head in the cavity. It alsohelps avoid damage to sealing elements provided around the ports of theconnecting head and/or around the ports of the receiving part duringinsertion and retraction of the connecting head into and from thecavity.

In an embodiment of the liquid treatment apparatus, wherein the liquidtreatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, essentially aligned with thedirection of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in thecavity, the connecting head and receiving part are provided with atleast one set of alignment parts for axially aligning the cartridge axiswith an axis of the receiving part corresponding to the direction ofinsertion, wherein each set includes a groove and at least oneprotruding alignment part for insertion into the groove when theconnecting head is inserted into the cavity.

This facilitates alignment of the cartridge with the receiving part. Theports of the cartridge are correctly aligned with those of the receivingpart and the connecting head can be inserted with little risk ofjamming. Protruding alignment parts allow the cavity and the connectinghead to be tapered.

In an embodiment in which the liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridgeaxis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion when theconnecting head is inserted in the cavity, the connecting head andreceiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts foraxially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving partcorresponding to the direction of insertion, and each set includes agroove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into thegroove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, the atleast one alignment parts for insertion into a groove are arranged tocontact the groove at multiple axial locations simultaneously.

There may be a row of alignment parts for insertion into one particulargroove or a single elongated alignment part. To provide correct axialalignment by means of only the sets of alignment parts, multiple pointsof contact are required.

In an embodiment in which the liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridgeaxis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion when theconnecting head is inserted in the cavity, the connecting head andreceiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts foraxially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving partcorresponding to the direction of insertion, and each set includes agroove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into thegroove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, theconnecting head is provided with the at least one alignment parts forinsertion into a groove of at least one, e.g. all of the at least onesets.

Thus, of each set, it is the connecting head, as opposed to thereceiving part, that is provided with the alignment part or parts forinsertion into the groove. The receiving part is provided with thegroove. If it were the other way around, the connecting head would beweakened by the grooves or need to be provided with thicker walls, whichwould make it less compact. The cartridge is generally intended forsingle use, so that its housing should not comprise more material thanis necessary to ensure that it does not burst under pressure.

In an embodiment in which the liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridgeaxis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion when theconnecting head is inserted in the cavity, the connecting head andreceiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts foraxially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving partcorresponding to the direction of insertion, and each set includes agroove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into thegroove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, at leastone of the sets of alignment parts includes a ridge for insertion intothe groove, e.g. a ridge on an external surface of the connecting head.

The ridge provides a relatively large contact area with the groove,useful for transferring the force required to move the receiving partwith the cartridge. It is also an alignment part of relatively simpleconstruction and may reinforce the connecting head.

In an embodiment of the liquid treatment apparatus in which the liquidtreatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, essentially aligned with thedirection of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in thecavity, the connecting head and receiving part are provided with atleast one set of alignment parts for axially aligning the cartridge axiswith an axis of the receiving part corresponding to the direction ofinsertion, and each set includes a groove and at least one protrudingalignment part for insertion into the groove when the connecting head isinserted into the cavity, the at least one alignment parts of at leastone of the sets are provided on respective surface sections of theconnecting head and the receiving part inclined with respect to thecartridge axis, and at least one of a depth of the groove with respectto a surface section in which the groove is provided and an elevation ofat least a sub-set or axial end section of the alignment parts forinsertion into the groove closest to an axial end of the liquidtreatment cartridge at which the connecting head is provided increasesin the direction of insertion, the elevation being with respect to asurface section on which the at least one alignment part for insertioninto the groove is provided.

This allows the use of a tapering connecting head and cavity, but alsoto align the cartridge with respect to the receiving part at the startof insertion of the connecting head into the cavity.

In an embodiment in which the liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridgeaxis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion when theconnecting head is inserted in the cavity, the connecting head andreceiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts foraxially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving partcorresponding to the direction of insertion, and each set includes agroove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into thegroove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, the atleast one alignment parts for insertion into a groove of at least one ofthe at least one sets protrudes in a direction that is perpendicular tothe plane of rotation upon insertion of the connecting head into thecavity.

A user moves the receiving part by handling the liquid treatmentcartridge. The protruding parts in this embodiment are moved laterallywith respect to the direction in which they protrude. The force exertedon the cartridge is thus transferred along the length of the protrudingalignment part or parts.

In a variant of this embodiment, the at least one alignment parts forinsertion into a groove of at least one further set protrudes in anopposite direction that is perpendicular to the plane of rotation uponinsertion of the connecting head into the cavity.

There is thus a balance of forces acting on the receiving part. Itsmovement in the plane of rotation is thus smoother. The forces areexerted on either side of the connecting head, i.e. on either side of acentral plane parallel to the plane of rotation and the direction ofdisplacement.

In an embodiment of the liquid treatment apparatus, the liquid treatmentcartridge has a cartridge axis, essentially aligned with the directionof insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, and theliquid treatment cartridge includes at least one laterally protrudingpart for support by a respective support surface provided by the mainpart of the device during movement of the receiving part between thefirst and second positions with the connecting head inserted.

The main part thus carries the weight of the liquid treatment cartridgewhere it is arranged to depend from the head device in at least thesecond position. The arrangement for journaling the receiving part withrespect to the main part of the head device need not be robust enoughalso to carry this weight.

In a variant of this embodiment, at least a section of the at least onelaterally protruding parts contacting the support surface is rounded.

This makes it easier for the cartridge to swivel as the receiving partrotates. Also, where the support surface is provided with or adjoins adetent, the laterally protruding part can enter and exit the detent moreeasily.

In an embodiment, in which the liquid treatment cartridge has acartridge axis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion whenthe connecting head is inserted in the cavity, the connecting head andreceiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts foraxially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving partcorresponding to the direction of insertion, and each set includes agroove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into thegroove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, wherein theliquid treatment cartridge includes at least one laterally protrudingpart for support by a respective support surface provided by the mainpart of the device during movement of the receiving part between thefirst and second positions with the connecting head inserted, at leastone of the laterally protruding parts corresponds to one of the at leastone alignment parts for insertion into a groove.

There is thus more space on the connecting head for the ports and forrelatively strong protruding parts for support by the support surface,because separate alignment parts need not be provided.

In a variant of this embodiment, the support surface for supporting thelaterally protruding part is defined by a section of the main partadjoining a gap, and an end of the groove into which the laterallyprotruding part is insertable is aligned with the gap in the firstposition, e.g. only in the first of the first and second positions.

This makes insertion of the protruding part also functioning asalignment part possible. It moves past the support surface through thegap. The section defining the support surface is shaped like a ledge.One end of the ledge borders the gap. The ledge also locks theconnecting head and thus the cartridge to the main part once theprotruding part contacts the support surface.

According to another aspect, there is provided a liquid treatmentcartridge presenting the features of a liquid treatment cartridgeaccording to the invention and thus evidently for use in a liquidtreatment apparatus according to the invention.

According to another aspect, the method according to the invention ofattaching a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge to a head part of aliquid treatment apparatus is characterised in that the receiving partis moved into the second position by also displacing it relative to themain part.

It thus need not be rotated over such a large angle to providesufficient clearance for handling the liquid treatment cartridge duringinsertion and retraction of the connecting head into and out of thecavity.

In an embodiment, the head part is mounted to a wall and the directionof displacement is towards the wall.

The liquid treatment cartridge can thus be held relatively close to thehead device, even if there are obstructions on either side of the liquidtreatment cartridge in the second position.

In an embodiment of the method, the apparatus is an apparatus accordingto the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in further detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a liquid treatment apparatus including a headpart and a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the head part with the replaceableliquid treatment cartridge in a first position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the head part with the replaceableliquid treatment cartridge in a second position;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the head part;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the head part with a part of a main partthereof cut away to show a receiving part;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from a different angle of the head partwith part of the main part cut away to show the receiving part andscreening parts attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a further perspective view of the head part with part of themain part cut away to show the receiving part and the screening parts;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a latching device for holding thereceiving part in the first position;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the head part with part of the main part cutaway to show the receiving part and the screening parts;

FIG. 10 is a first perspective view of the receiving part;

FIG. 11 is a second perspective view of the receiving part;

FIG. 12 is a third perspective view of the receiving part;

FIG. 13 is a first perspective view of an underside of the receivingpart;

FIG. 14 is a second perspective view of the underside of the receivingpart;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the underside of the receiving part;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a first housing part of the main part;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the housing part of FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the inside of the housing part of FIGS. 16 and17 ;

FIG. 19 is a first perspective view of the inside of the housing part ofFIGS. 16-18 ;

FIG. 20 is a second perspective view of the inside of the housing part;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a second housing part of the main part;

FIG. 22 is a first perspective view of an inside of the second housingpart;

FIG. 23 is a second perspective view of the inside of the second housingpart;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the inside of the second housing part;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the replaceable liquid treatmentcartridge;

FIG. 26 is a first side view of a connecting head of the liquidtreatment cartridge;

FIG. 27 is a second side view of the connecting head of the liquidtreatment cartridge;

FIG. 28 is a front view of the connecting head of the liquid treatmentcartridge;

FIG. 29 is a plan view of the inside of the second housing part with thereceiving part shown in the second position;

FIG. 30 is a first perspective view of the inside of the second housingpart with the receiving part shown in the second position;

FIG. 31 is a first perspective view of the inside of the second housingpart with the receiving part shown in the first position;

FIG. 32 is a second perspective view of the inside of the second housingpart with the receiving part shown in the first position;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of the inside of the second housing part with thereceiving part shown in the first position;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the inside of a head part of a secondliquid treatment apparatus and a cap-shaped part of a liquid treatmentcartridge of the second liquid treatment apparatus;

FIG. 35 is a second perspective view of the inside of the head part ofFIG. 34 , but without the cap-shaped part of the liquid treatmentcartridge;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a cap-shaped part of a liquid treatmentcartridge for use in the second liquid treatment apparatus;

FIG. 37 is a side plan view of the cap-shaped part of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 38 is a side plan view of the cap-shaped part of FIG. 37 from theopposite side;

FIG. 39 is a further perspective view of the inside of the head part ofthe second liquid treatment apparatus;

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the inside of the head part of the secondliquid treatment apparatus;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a receiving part comprised in the headpart of the second liquid treatment apparatus;

FIG. 42 is a first perspective view of an underside of the receivingpart of FIG. 41 ;

FIG. 43 is a second perspective view of the underside of the receivingpart of FIGS. 41 and 42 ;

FIG. 44 is a first perspective view of a housing part and latchingdevice comprised in the head part of the second liquid treatmentapparatus;

FIG. 45 is a second perspective view of the housing part and latchingdevice of FIG. 44 ;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the latching device of FIGS. 44 and 45;

FIG. 47 is a plan view of the inside of the housing part of FIGS. 44 and45 ;

FIG. 48 is a plan view of the inside of an opposite housing partcomprised in the head part of the second liquid treatment apparatus; and

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the inside of the housing part of FIG.48 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, a liquid treatment apparatus for the treatment ofaqueous liquids such as drinking water will be described. The liquidtreatment apparatus includes a head part 1 and a replaceable liquidtreatment cartridge 2. The head part 1 includes a housing comprisingleft and right housing parts 3,4 joined together. It further includes amounting plate 5 (FIGS. 1-5 ) for mounting the head part 1 to a wall(not shown). The housing formed by the left and right housing parts 3,4is also referred to as the main part of the head part herein. Areceiving part 6 is movably journalled within the housing of the mainpart.

The liquid treatment cartridge 2 is of the type described more fully ininternational patent application No. PCT/EP2015/050155 of 7 Jan. 2015,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The liquidtreatment cartridge 2 has a housing comprising a vessel of which theopening is closed by a cap-shaped part including a connecting head 7(FIGS. 26-28 ). The connecting head 7 is insertable into a cavity of thereceiving part 6 when the receiving part 6 is in a first position withrespect to the main part.

A reference axis referred to herein as cartridge axis 8 (FIGS. 26-28 )is a body axis extending from a closed end of the vessel to the end ofthe cartridge 2 at which the connecting head 7 is provided. In theillustrated embodiment, the cartridge 2 has an elongated shape and thecartridge axis 8 corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge 2.

The vessel of the cartridge 2 contains one or more liquid treatmentparts (not shown), in particular one or more liquid treatment partsincluding at least one liquid treatment medium for treating liquidcontacting it. The liquid treatment medium may in particular include aliquid treatment medium for the treatment of liquid in a diffusiveprocess, e.g. sorption or elution. Liquid treatment media for thetreatment of liquid by sorption include ion exchangers, chelating resinsand sorbents. Particular examples include activated carbon and ionexchange resins, e.g. cation exchange resins. The cation exchange resinmay be a weakly acidic cation exchange resin. The cation exchange resinmay be in the hydrogen form. Thus, the liquid treatment medium may be aliquid treatment medium for reducing at least one of the carbonatehardness and the total hardness of water.

Alternatively, the cartridge 2 may contain a mechanical filtrationmodule, e.g. a membrane module for microfiltration, nanofiltration orreverse osmosis.

The receiving part 6 is movably journalled within the housing formovement between a first position (FIGS. 2 and 31-33 ), in which theconnecting head 7 is insertable into and retractable from the cavitydefined in the receiving part 6, and a second position (FIGS. 1,3,5-7, 9and 29-30 ), in which the cartridge 2 is locked to the head part 1. Thesecond position corresponds to a position in which the cartridge axis 8is essentially parallel or at an acute angle to the wall to which thehead part 1 is mounted. In the first position, the cartridge 2 is spacedapart from the wall and the cartridge axis 8 is at a larger angle to thewall. To move the cartridge 2 with the connecting head 7 inserted intothe cavity of the receiving part 6 together with the receiving part, itis both swiveled and displaced, i.e. moved closer to or further awayfrom the wall.

The connecting head is provided with four cartridge ports 9-12 in liquidcommunication with an interior of the cartridge 2. First and secondports 9,10 (FIG. 27 ) are provided in a first surface section 13 facingin a direction at an angle to the cartridge axis 8 such that theconnecting head 7 tapers towards the axial end of the cartridge 2 atwhich the connecting head 7 is provided. Third and fourth cartridgeports 11,12 (FIG. 26 ) are provided in a second surface section 14facing in a direction at an angle to the cartridge axis 8 such that theconnecting head 7 tapers towards the axial end of the cartridge 2 atwhich the connecting head 7 is provided. The first and second connectinghead surface sections 13,14 are on opposite sides of the connecting head7. The first and second cartridge ports 9,10 are axially aligned, as arethe third and fourth cartridge ports 11,12. Each of the cartridge ports9-12 is surrounded by a respective sealing element 15-18. The first andsecond connecting head surface sections 13,14 are planar, so that thesealing elements 15-18 are compressed relatively uniformly when pressedagainst a co-operating surface to form a seal around the cartridge ports9-12.

A first alignment ridge 19 is provided adjacent the first and secondcartridge ports 9,10. A second alignment ridge 20 is provided adjacentthe third and fourth cartridge ports 11,12. The alignment ridges 19,20extend in a direction essentially parallel to the cartridge axis 8.(Lower) axial ends 21,22 distal to the axial end of the cartridge 2 atwhich the connecting head 7 is provided are rounded.

The first and second alignment ridges 19,20 are provided on curvedsurface sections 23,24 in this example. These surface sections 23,24face in directions at an angle to the cartridge axis 8 such that theconnecting head 7 tapers in axial direction towards the end of thecartridge 2 at which the connecting head 7 is provided. Each of thefirst and second alignment ridges 19,20 has a first section 25,26extending to the rounded end 21,22 and a second section 27,28 extendingto an opposite axial end of the alignment ridge 19,20 concerned. Thereis a stepped transition between the two sections 25,27 of the firstalignment ridge 19 and between the two sections 26,28 of the secondalignment ridge 20. The stepped transition is such that the elevationwith respect to the surface section 23,24 decreases stepwise from thefirst section 25,26 to the second section 27,28. This allows the firstsections 25,26 to function as stops, as will be explained. Furthermore,the elevation of the second sections 27,28 with respect to the surfacesection 23,24 increases in axial direction towards the axial end of thecartridge 2 at which the connecting head 7 is provided, so as tocompensate for the taper of the connecting head 7 (cf. FIG. 28 ).Surfaces of the second alignment ridge sections 27,28 facing in thedirection of projection are thus at an essentially constant distance tothe cartridge axis 8 along their axial extent. It is noted that,although the surface sections 23,24, due to their curvature, do not facein exactly opposite directions, the alignment ridges 19,20 do protrudein opposite directions. These directions are perpendicular to areference plane in which the cartridge axis 8 lies. In the example, thereference plane is a plane of symmetry of the connecting head 7. Thereference plane is also parallel to a plane of rotation of the receivingpart 6 when the connecting head 7 is inserted into the cavity of thereceiving part 6. It is observed that the connecting head 7 is furtherprovided with a third alignment ridge 29 (FIGS. 26,27 ), which is of adifferent shape to the first and second alignment ridges 19,20.

The receiving part 6 includes a body and, in this example, first tosixth sealing elements 30-35. The body defines a cavity for receivingthe connecting head 7. It is possible to define a reference axis 36(FIG. 10 ) parallel to the direction of insertion of the connecting head7 into the cavity and thus essentially perpendicular to the mouth of thecavity. This receiving part axis 36 lies in a plane of intrinsicrotation of the receiving part 6, the axis of rotation beingperpendicular thereto. Furthermore, as the receiving part 6 is movedbetween the first and second positions, it is displaced in a directionparallel to this plane (but not to the receiving part axis 36).

The cavity has a shape corresponding to that of the connecting head 7.It thus tapers in axial direction towards the end opposite the mouth ofthe cavity.

Liquid-permeable ports 37-40 are provided in opposing side wallsdefining the cavity. First and second ports 37,38 are provided in afirst side wall section 41 (FIGS. 13,14 ). Third and fourth ports 39,40are provided in a second side wall section 42. The first and second sidewall sections 41,42 are essentially planar. They have interior surfacesdelimiting the cavity laterally with respect to the receiving part axis36.

When the connecting head 7 is fully inserted into the cavity, thecartridge ports 9-12 are each in sealed liquid communication with arespective one of the receiving part ports 37-40. The sealing elements15-18 on the connecting head co-operate with the side wall sections41,42 to provide the seals preventing liquid from flowing into thecavity.

The receiving part sealing elements 30-33 surround the receiving partports 37-40 on the exterior of the receiving part 6.

A bypass channel 43 (FIGS. 9,10,12,29 ) is defined in the body of thereceiving part 6. The bypass channel 43 extends from one side of thereceiving part 6 to an opposite side. This channel bypasses the cavity.Fifth and sixth receiving part sealing elements 34,35 each surround bothan opening of the bypass channel 43 and two of the ports 37-40 withtheir surrounding sealing elements 30-33. This arrangement allows thereceiving part 6 to function as the valve member of a valve mechanismstructured similarly to a sliding gate valve.

Guide protrusions 44-47 (FIGS. 10-15 ) are defined by the body of thereceiving part 6. Two guide protrusions 44-47 are provided on either ofopposite sides of the receiving part 6. Each of the guide protrusions44-47 is aligned with a guide protrusion 44-47 on the opposite side ofthe receiving part 6.

Alignment grooves 48-50 (FIG. 15 ) are at least open towards the cavityand in this example also at axial ends adjacent a mouth of the cavity.First and second alignment grooves 48,49 are for receiving the first andsecond alignment ridges 19,20 when the connecting head 7 is insertedinto the cavity of the receiving part 6. A third alignment groove 50(FIGS. 12-14 ) is for receiving the third alignment ridge 29. The firstand second alignment grooves 48,49 are on opposite sides of the cavity,facing each other. First (lower) sections 51,52 (FIGS. 13,14 ) extendthrough the side wall sections of the receiving part 6 in which they areprovided to form slits through these side wall sections. They areprovided at the axial ends proximal to the mouth of the cavity. Second(upper) alignment groove sections 53,54 are shaped as slots in the sidewall sections in which they are provided. These sections 53,54 havedepths smaller than the thickness of the side wall sections in whichthey are provided. They are located at the axial ends distal to themouth of the cavity. The depth of each of the second alignment groovesections 53,54 increases in axial direction towards the axial end distalto the mouth of the cavity, in order to compensate for the taper of thecavity. The edge at the transition between the first alignment groovesection 51,52 and the second alignment groove section 53,54 functions asa stop against which the first alignment ridge sections 25,26 abut whenthe alignment ridges 19,20 are inserted into the alignment grooves48,49. The first alignment ridge sections 25,26 have an elevationexceeding the thickness of the side wall section in which the firstalignment groove sections 51,52 are provided, so that these alignmentridge sections 25,26 protrude from the receiving part in oppositedirections when the connecting head 7 is inserted into the cavity.

The left and right housing parts 3,4 are provided with ledges 55,56defining support surfaces 57,58 for supporting the inserted connectinghead 7 by the rounded ends 21,22 of the first and second alignmentridges 19,20 after the connecting head 7 has been fully inserted intothe cavity in the first position of the receiving part 6 and then movedsome way towards the second position. The ledges 55,56 thus also preventretraction of the connecting head 7 in any other position of thereceiving part 6 than the first position. To allow for the insertion ofthe connecting head 7 into the cavity in the first position, the ledges55,56 adjoin gaps 59,60 having a width equal to at least the width ofthe first and second alignment ridges 19,20.

The alignment grooves 48,49 should be held in alignment with the gaps59,60 after the cartridge 2 has been removed for replacement. To thisend, a latching device 61 (FIG. 8 ) is provided. The latching device 61is a single resilient, essentially U-shaped insert having pawls 62,63 atrespective free ends of its arms 64,65. Part of the receiving part 6 isreceived between the arms 64,65 in the first position. In that position,the pawls 62,63 engage the first alignment groove sections 51,52 whenthese are not occupied by the first alignment ridge sections 25,26.

When the receiving part 6 is moved into the first position, it forcesthe arms 64,65 apart. When the cartridge 2 is then retracted, the pawls62,63 snap into place. When the connecting head 7 of the replacementcartridge is inserted into the receiving part 6, the first alignmentridge sections 25,26 urge the pawls 62,63 out of the slits formed by thefirst alignment groove sections 51,52 to release the receiving part 6,which can then be moved into the second position. Because the firstalignment groove sections are engaged by the pawls 62,63, the receivingpart 6 is only released when the connecting head 7 has been fullyinserted and is also able to clear the ledges 55,56.

To ease the engagement, the pawls 62,63 are provided with facets 66-69.Downwardly directed facets 66,68 are for engaging the first alignmentridge sections 25,26. They face in part in a direction opposite to thedirection of insertion of the connecting head 7 and in part towards eachother. Facets 67,69 for engaging the receiving part 6 face in part in adirection of movement of the receiving part 6 out of the first positionand in part towards each other. Surfaces on opposite sides to the facets67,69 are essentially at right angles to the adjacent arm sections inorder to provide strong shape-lock.

It will be clear that movement of the receiving part 6 is coupled tothat of the connecting head 7 between the first and second positions. Inthe illustrated example, this movement is arrested in the secondposition through the interaction of the rounded ends 21,22 of the firstand second alignment ridges 19,20 with detents 70,71 in the ledges55,56. In an alternative embodiment, a similar function may be exercisedby appropriately sized gaps adjacent ends of the ledges 55,56. In eithercase, the ledges 55,56 define detents. The detents 70,71 are alignedwith the alignment grooves 48,49 in the second position of the receivingpart 6.

As each rounded end 21,22 moves across the support surface 57,58 withthe receiving part 6 moving with it towards the second position, theaxial distance of the support surface 57,58 to an axial end of thecavity distal to a mouth of the cavity decreases. The connecting head 7is thus urged further into the cavity.

In an embodiment (not shown), the left and right housing parts 3,4 mayeach be provided with at least one section defining a guide surfacefacing mainly in a same direction as a mouth of the cavity of thereceiving part 6 for guiding the first alignment ridge sections 25,26during at least part of movement of the receiving part from the secondto the first position. With respect to the receiving part axis 36, anaxial distance of the support surface of at least one of such sectionsto an axial end of the cavity distal to a mouth of the cavity increasestowards the first position over at least a section of the supportsurface. Thus, the connecting head 7 can also be urged out of the cavitysome distance before the receiving part 6 reaches the first position.

Defined in the left housing part 3 are upper and lower main ports 72,73and a bypass port 74 (FIGS. 21-24 ). A connector interface 75 (FIG. 4 )allows one or more conduits (not shown) to be placed in fluidcommunication with the ports 72-74. Similarly, upper and lower mainports 76,77 and a bypass port 78 (FIGS. 16-20 ) are defined in the righthousing part 4. One or more conduits (not shown) may be placed in fluidcommunication with the ports 76-78 if provided with one or moreconnectors for mating with a connector interface 79 (FIGS. 2-3 ). Forexample, the ports 72-74 of the left housing part 3 may all be placed inliquid communication with a supply conduit for delivering liquid to betreated. The main ports 76,77 may be placed in liquid communication withone or two delivery conduits for supplying treated liquid and the bypassport 78 may be placed in liquid communication with a separate conduitfor delivering untreated liquid or liquid that has been treateddifferently or to a different extent. It is noted that the main ports72,73,76,77 have a circular outline. The bypass ports 74,78 have anelongated shape.

The receiving part 6 functions as the movable valve member for a valvemechanism regulating the flow of liquid through the main ports72,73,76,77. The main ports 72,73,76,77 are provided in walls presentinginterior surfaces 80,81 (FIGS. 18-20,22-24 ) of the housing in which thereceiving part 6 is movably journalled. The surfaces 80,81 areessentially parallel to a plane of rotation of the receiving part 6 andthe direction of displacement of the receiving part 6.

They are essentially planar where the receiving part 6 moves along them.The receiving part sealing elements 30-35 are each held against one ofthese surfaces 80,81 such that the seals are formed. The fifth receivingpart sealing element 34 surrounds the main ports 72,73 and the bypassport 74 of the left housing part 3 in all positions between andincluding the first and second position of the receiving part 6. Thesixth receiving part sealing element 35 surrounds the main ports 76,77and the bypass port 78 of the right housing part 4 in all positions ofthe receiving part 6 between and including the first and secondpositions of the receiving part 6. Only in the second of the first andsecond positions (FIGS. 29, 30 ) are the main ports 72,73 fully alignedwith the first and second receiving part ports 37,38 and the main ports76,77 fully aligned with the third and fourth receiving part ports39,40. Thus, in the second position, only the bypass ports 74,78 are indirect liquid communication via the bypass channel 43. In the otherpositions, all the ports 72-74,76-78 are in liquid communication witheach other via the bypass channel 43. The surfaces 80,81 then close thereceiving part ports 37-40. The fifth and sixth receiving part sealingelements 34,35 thus prevent liquid from entering the cavity in thehousing in which the receiving part 6 is movably journalled.

The receiving part 6 is movably journalled by the guide protrusions44-47 which are guided for movement in guide grooves 82-85 in the leftand right housing parts 3,4. The cavity in the housing formed by theleft and right housing parts 3,4 obviously has a mouth large enough toaccommodate the movement of the inserted section of the cartridge 2. Asthe receiving part 6 moves across this mouth between the first andsecond positions, first and second screening parts 86,87 (FIGS. 6-8 )close sections of the housing cavity mouth adjacent the receiving part6, so that foreign objects and dirt cannot enter easily. The screeningparts 86,87 are hingedly attached to the receiving part 6 at one end andjournalled to the housing at an opposite end. Thus, the first screeningpart 86 is provided with guide protrusions 88,89 guided for movement inguide grooves 90,91. The second screening part 87 is provided with guideprotrusions 92,93 guided for movement in guide grooves 94,95.

The receiving part 6 is thus able to carry out a combined displacementand intrinsic rotation between the first and second position within thehousing formed by the left and right housing parts 3,4 and therebyfunction also as a movable valve member.

A second embodiment (FIGS. 34-49 ) of a liquid treatment apparatus issubstantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-33 . Like parts areindicated using like reference numerals and only the more salientaspects and the differences compared to the first embodiment aredescribed.

Thus, the second embodiment includes a head part 1′ and a replaceableliquid treatment cartridge, of which only a cap-shaped part 96 forclosing a vessel (not shown) at its open end is shown (FIGS. 36-38 ).The cap-shaped part 96 includes a connecting head 7′ that issubstantially the same as the connecting head 7 of the cartridge 2 ofthe first embodiment. It differs in that it does not include the thirdalignment ridge 29.

Thus, the connecting head 7′ can be thought of as having a referenceaxis 8′ (FIGS. 37-38 ) corresponding to a longitudinal axis of thecartridge (not shown).

The connecting head is provided with four cartridge ports 9′-12′. Firstand second ports 9′,10′ (FIG. 38 ) are provided in a first surfacesection 13′ facing in a direction at an angle to the cartridge axis 8′such that the connecting head 7′ tapers towards the axial end of thecartridge at which the connecting head 7′ is provided. Third and fourthcartridge ports 11′,12′ (FIG. 37 ) are provided in a second surfacesection 14′ facing in a direction at an angle to the cartridge axis 8′such that the connecting head 7′ tapers towards the axial end of thecartridge at which the connecting head 7′ is provided. The first andsecond cartridge ports 9,10′ are axially aligned, as are the third andfourth cartridge ports 11,12. Each of the cartridge ports 9′-12′ issurrounded by a respective sealing element (not shown). The first andsecond surface sections 13′,14′ are planar.

First and second alignment ridges 19,20 are provided adjacent thecartridge ports 9′-12′. They each extend substantially in axialdirection. Lower (axial) ends 21′,22′ are rounded. The alignment ridges19,20 are provided on curved surface sections 23′,24′ facing indirections at an angle to the cartridge axis 8′, so that the connectinghead 7′ tapers in axial direction towards the end of the cartridge atwhich the connecting head 7′ is provided. The alignment ridges 19,20have first and second sections 25′-28′ corresponding to those of thealignment ridges 19,20 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-33 .

The head part 1′ includes a housing comprising left and right housingparts 3′,4′ joined together. The housing is suitable for mounting to awall by means of a mounting plate (not shown) identical to the mountingplate 5 of the liquid treatment apparatus of FIGS. 1-33 .

A receiving part 6′ is movably journalled within the housing. A latchingdevice 61′ (FIG. 46 ) is of substantially similar structure to thelatching device 61 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-33 . It thus includespawls 62′,63′ at the ends of arms 64′,65′. Each pawl 62′,63′ is providedwith a respective downward-facing facet 66,68 for engaging theconnecting head 7′, more particularly the first sections 25′,26′ of thealignment ridges 19′,20′ and a respective facet 67′,69′ for engaging thereceiving part 6′.

Unlike the first embodiment, there are no screening parts.

The receiving part 6′ (FIGS. 41-43 ) includes a body and, in thisexample, first to sixth sealing elements 30′-35′. The body defines acavity for receiving the connecting head 7. It is possible to define areference axis 36′ (FIG. 41 ) parallel to the direction of insertion ofthe connecting head 7 into the cavity and thus essentially perpendicularto the mouth of the cavity. This receiving part axis 36′ lies in a planeof intrinsic rotation of the receiving part 6′, the axis of rotationbeing perpendicular thereto.

The cavity has a shape corresponding to that of the connecting head 7′.It thus tapers in axial direction towards the end opposite the mouth ofthe cavity.

Liquid-permeable ports 37′-40′ are provided in opposing side wallsdefining the cavity. First and second ports 37′,38′ are provided in afirst side wall section 41′ (FIGS. 42-43 ). Third and fourth ports39′,40′ are provided in a second side wall section 42′. The first andsecond side wall sections 41′,42′ are essentially planar.

A bypass channel 43′ (FIG. 40 ) is defined in the body of the receivingpart 6. It is narrower than the bypass channel 43 of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-33 for reasons that will be explained. The bypass channel 43′extends from one side of the receiving part 6′ to an opposite side andbypasses the cavity. Fifth and sixth receiving part sealing elements34′,35′ each surround both an opening of the bypass channel 43′ and twoof the ports 37′-40′ with their surrounding sealing elements 30′-33′.This arrangement allows the receiving part 6 to function as the valvemember of a valve mechanism structured similarly to a sliding gatevalve.

However, in contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-33 , the bypasschannel 43′ is closed in the second position. It merely provides forliquid communication between upper and lower main ports 72′-77′ in thefirst position.

Guide protrusions 44′-47′ (FIGS. 41-43 ) are defined by the body of thereceiving part 6′. Two guide protrusions 44′-47′ are provided on eitherof opposite sides of the receiving part 6′. Each of the guideprotrusions 44′-47′ is aligned with a guide protrusion 44′-47′ on theopposite side of the receiving part 6′.

First and second alignment grooves 48′,49′ (FIGS. 42,43 ) are forreceiving the first and second alignment ridges 19′,20′ when theconnecting head 7′ is inserted into the cavity of the receiving part 6′.The alignment grooves 48′,49′ are at least open towards the cavity andin this example also at axial ends adjacent a mouth of the cavity. First(lower) sections 51′,52′ extend through the side wall sections of thereceiving part 6′ in which they are provided to form slits through theseside wall sections. They are provided at the axial ends proximal to themouth of the cavity. Second (upper) alignment groove sections 53′,54′are shaped as slots in the side wall sections in which they areprovided. These sections 53′,54′ have depths smaller than the thicknessof the side wall sections in which they are provided. They are locatedat the axial ends distal to the mouth of the cavity. The depth of eachof the second alignment groove sections 53′,54′ increases in axialdirection towards the axial end distal to the mouth of the cavity, inorder to compensate for the taper of the cavity.

The left and right housing parts 3′,4′ are provided with ledges 55′,56′(FIGS. 45 and 47-49 ) defining support surfaces 57′,58′ for supportingthe inserted connecting head 7′ by the rounded ends 21′,22′ of the firstand second alignment ridges 19′,20′ after the connecting head 7′ hasbeen fully inserted into the cavity in the first position of thereceiving part 6′ and then moved some way towards the second position.The ledges 55′,56′ adjoin gaps 59′,60′ having a width equal to at leastthe width of the first and second alignment ridges 19′,20′. The ledges55′,56′ define detents 70′,71′ that are aligned with the alignmentgrooves 48′,49′ in the second position of the receiving part 6′.

The main ports 72′,73′,76′,77′ are defined by left and right screeninginserts 97,98 sealingly placed against the inside surfaces of the leftand right housing parts 3′,4′. The screening inserts 97,98 have surfaces99,100 that cooperate with the sealing elements 30′-35′ of the receivingpart 6′.

By contrast, the guide protrusions 44′-47′ of the receiving part 6′ areguided for movement in guides for receiving the guide protrusions44′-47′. Each of the guides is at least partly defined by one of guidegrooves 82′-85′ in the left and right housing parts 3′,4′. First andthird guides are defined only by first and third guide grooves 82′,84′.Second and fourth guides are defined partly by second and fourth guidegrooves 83′,85′ (i.e. the lower guide groove in each of the left andright second housing parts 3′,4′) and partly by lower edges of thescreening inserts 97,98. Each of the second and fourth guides hasopposite edges for guiding a protrusion 45′,47′ between the first andsecond positions, wherein the opposite edges have at least centralsections with different respective curvatures. The second and fourthguide grooves 83′,85′ are wider in a central section than at their ends.A different edge guides the inserted guide protrusion 45′,47′ on its wayfrom the first to the second position than on its way from the second tothe first position. This facilitates movement of the receiving partbetween the first and second positions without jamming. As in the firstembodiment of FIGS. 1-33 , this movement is a combination ofdisplacement of the receiving part 6′ and internal rotation in a planeparallel to the direction of displacement. The angle of rotation islikewise relatively small, e.g. below 20°.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, whichmay be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims. For example,there may be fewer than four ports in the receiving part 6 andconnecting head 7, e.g. three or two, and thus fewer than four mainports 72,73,76,77.

List of Reference Numerals

-   1,1′—head part-   2—cartridge-   3,3′—left housing part-   4,4′—right housing part-   5—mounting plate-   6,6′—receiving part-   7,7′—connecting head-   8,8′—cartridge axis-   9,9′—first cartridge port-   10,10′—second cartridge port-   11,11′—third cartridge port-   12,12′—fourth cartridge port-   13,13′—first connecting head surface section-   14,14′—second connecting head surface section-   15—first cartridge port sealing element-   16—second cartridge port sealing element-   17—third cartridge port sealing element-   18—fourth cartridge port sealing element-   19,19′—first alignment ridge-   20,20′—second alignment ridge-   21,21′—rounded end of first alignment ridge-   22,22′—rounded end of second alignment ridge-   23,23′—first curved surface section-   24,24′—second curved surface section-   25,25′—lower section of first alignment ridge-   26,26′—lower section of second alignment ridge-   27,27′—upper section of first alignment ridge-   28,28′—upper section of second alignment ridge-   29—third alignment ridge-   30,30′—first receiving part sealing element-   31,31′—second receiving part sealing element-   32,32′—third receiving part sealing element-   33,33′—fourth receiving part sealing element-   34,34′—fifth receiving part sealing element-   35,35′—sixth receiving part sealing element-   36,36′—receiving part axis-   37,37′—first receiving part port-   38,38′—second receiving part port-   39,39′—third receiving part port-   40,40′—fourth receiving part port-   41,41′—first receiving part side wall section-   42,42′—second receiving part side wall section-   43,43′—bypass channel-   44,44′—first guide protrusion-   45,45′—second guide protrusion-   46,46′—third guide protrusion-   47,47′—fourth guide protrusion-   48,48′—first alignment groove-   49,49′—second alignment groove-   50—third alignment groove-   51,51′—lower section of first alignment groove-   52,52′—lower section of second alignment groove-   53,53′—upper section of first alignment groove-   54,54′—upper section of second alignment groove-   55,55′—left housing part ledge-   56,56′—right housing part ledge-   57,57′—left housing part support surface-   58,58′—right housing part support surface-   59,59′—gap adjoining left housing part ledge-   60,60′—gap adjoining right housing part ledge-   61,61′—latching device-   62,62′—first pawl-   63,63′—second pawl-   64,64′—first arm-   65,65′—second arm-   66,66′—facet on first pawl facing downwards-   67,67′—facet on first pawl for engaging receiving part-   68,68′—facet on second pawl facing downwards-   69,69′—facet on second pawl for engaging receiving part-   70,70′—left housing part detent-   71,71′—right housing part detent-   72,72′—upper main port in left housing part-   73,73′—lower main port in left housing part-   74—bypass port in left housing part-   75—connector interface in left housing part-   76,76′—upper main port in right housing part-   77,77′—lower main port in right housing part-   78—bypass port in right housing part-   79—connector interface in right housing part-   80—interior surface of left housing part-   81—interior surface of right housing part-   82, 82′—first guide groove-   83, 83′—second guide groove-   84, 84′—third guide groove-   85, 85′—fourth guide groove-   86—first screening part-   87—second screening part-   88—first screening part guide protrusion (left housing part)-   89—first screening part guide protrusion (right housing part)-   90—guide groove for first screening part in left housing part-   91—guide groove for first screening part in right housing part-   92—second screening part guide protrusion (left housing part)-   93—second screening part guide protrusion (right housing part)-   94—guide groove for second screening part—in left housing part-   95—guide groove for second screening part in right housing part-   96—cap—shaped cartridge part-   97—left screening insert-   98—right screening insert-   99—left screening insert surface-   100—right screening insert surface

The invention claimed is:
 1. A liquid treatment apparatus including: a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge including a connecting head having at least one port in liquid communication with an interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge; and a device including: a main part; and a receiving part including a cavity for receiving the connecting head of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge such that the at least one port of the connecting head is in sealed liquid communication with a corresponding at least one port of the receiving part, wherein the receiving part is journalled for movement between a first and a second position with respect to the main part whilst the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, wherein the connecting head is insertable into and retractable from the cavity in the first position, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge is lockable to the device by at least moving the receiving part with the inserted connecting head into the second position, wherein the movement includes a component corresponding to an intrinsic rotation in a plane parallel to a direction of insertion, and wherein the movement further includes at least a component corresponding to a displacement of the receiving part relative to the main part.
 2. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two liquid-permeable ports in liquid communication with the interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge are provided in the connecting head.
 3. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, essentially aligned with the direction of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, and wherein the at least one port in liquid communication with the interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge is provided in a respective surface section facing in a direction at an angle to the cartridge axis.
 4. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, aligned with the direction of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, and wherein at least two ports of the at least one port in liquid communication with the interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge are provided in respective surface sections of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge facing in a direction at an angle to the cartridge axis.
 5. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one port in liquid communication with the interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge is provided in planar respective surface section of the connecting head.
 6. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, aligned with the direction of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, and wherein the at least one port in liquid communication with the interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge is provided in a respective surface section of the connecting head inclined with respect to the cartridge axis such that the connecting head tapers in the direction of insertion.
 7. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, aligned with the direction of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, wherein the connecting head and receiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts for axially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving part corresponding to the direction of insertion, and wherein each set includes a groove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into the groove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity.
 8. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one protruding alignment parts for insertion into the groove is arranged to contact the groove at multiple axial locations simultaneously.
 9. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one protruding alignment parts includes a ridge for insertion into the groove.
 10. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ridge is a ridge on an external surface of the connecting head.
 11. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the groove and the at least one protruding alignment part of at least one of the sets are provided on respective surface sections of the connecting head and the receiving part inclined with respect to the cartridge axis, and wherein at least one of a depth of the groove with respect to a surface section in which the groove is provided and an elevation of at least a sub-set or axial end section of the at least one protruding alignment parts for insertion into the groove closest to an axial end of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge at which the connecting head is provided increases in the direction of insertion, the elevation being with respect to a surface section on which the at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into the groove is provided.
 12. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into a groove of at least one of the at least one sets protrudes in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of rotation upon insertion of the connecting head into the cavity.
 13. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into a groove of at least one further set protrudes in an opposite direction that is perpendicular to the plane of rotation upon insertion of the connecting head into the cavity.
 14. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge has a cartridge axis, aligned with the direction of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, and wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge includes at least one laterally protruding part for support by a respective support surface provided by the main part of the device during movement of the receiving part between the first and second positions with the connecting head inserted.
 15. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least a section of the at least one laterally protruding part contacting the support surface is rounded.
 16. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connecting head and the receiving part are provided with at least one set of alignment parts for axially aligning the cartridge axis with an axis of the receiving part corresponding to the direction of insertion, wherein each set includes a groove and at least one protruding alignment part for insertion into the groove when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity, and wherein at least one of the at least one laterally protruding part corresponds to one of the at least one alignment parts for insertion into a groove.
 17. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 16, wherein the support surface for supporting the at least one laterally protruding part is defined by a section of the main part adjoining a gap, and an end of the groove into which the laterally protruding part is insertable is aligned with the gap in the first position.
 18. The liquid treatment apparatus of claim 14, wherein the support surfaces are provided by sections of the main part, and wherein at least one of those sections defines at least one detent for the protruding part of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge.
 19. A liquid treatment cartridge comprising: a connecting head having at least one port in liquid communication with an interior of the liquid treatment cartridge, wherein the connecting head is insertable into a receiving part of a main part of a liquid treatment apparatus such that the at least one port of the connecting head is in sealed liquid communication with a corresponding at least one port of the receiving part, wherein the connecting head of the liquid treatment cartridge is insertable into and retractable from a cavity of the receiving part in a first position, wherein the liquid treatment cartridge comprises a cartridge axis, aligned with a direction of insertion when the connecting head is inserted in the cavity, wherein the connecting head comprises at least one laterally protruding alignment part of each of at least one set of alignment parts for axially aligning the cartridge axis of the connecting head with an axis of the receiving part corresponding to the direction of insertion, each of at least one set further comprising a groove of the receiving part, and wherein the at least one laterally protruding part of each of the at least one set of alignment parts inserts into the groove of the receiving part from each of the at least one set of alignment parts when the connecting head is inserted into the cavity.
 20. The liquid treatment cartridge of claim 19, wherein the at least one laterally protruding part of each of the at least one set of alignment parts for insertion into the groove of the receiving part from each of the at least one set of alignment parts is arranged to contact the groove at multiple axial locations simultaneously.
 21. The liquid treatment cartridge of claim 19, wherein the liquid treatment cartridge includes the at least one laterally protruding alignment part of each of the at least one set of alignment parts for support by a respective support surface provided by the main part of the liquid treatment apparatus during movement of the receiving part between the first position and a second position with the connecting head inserted, and wherein the connecting head of the liquid treatment cartridge is locked within the cavity of the receiving part in the second position.
 22. A method of attaching a replaceable liquid treatment cartridge to a head part of a liquid treatment apparatus, the head part including at least one device including: a main part; and a receiving part including at least one cavity, the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge including a connecting head having at least one port in liquid communication with an interior of the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge, the method including: inserting the connecting head into the cavity such that the at least one port of the connecting head is in sealed liquid communication with a corresponding at least one port of the receiving part, wherein the connecting head is inserted in a first position of the receiving part with respect to the main part, moving the receiving part with the inserted connecting head into a second position with respect to the main part by at least swivelling the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge, and wherein the receiving part is moved into the second position by also displacing the receiving part relative to the main part.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the replaceable liquid treatment cartridge comprises a liquid treatment part for treatment of liquid. 